Folding-machine.



E. B. ROBY.

FOLDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 1. lane.

Patented Mar. 19, 1918.

3 SHEETSSHEET l.

$12942. E I/J A TTO/M/EY E. B- ROBY.

FOLDING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 1. 191a.

Patented Mar; 19, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WIN/E8858:

E. B. ROBY.

' FOLDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. l, I916- 3 SHEETS-SHEET 3- WITNESSES: 77 115; 2,} (9.6.0806

R) I "rl' a nine.

- EDWARD IB. ROBY, OF TROY, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR '10 STANLEY M. STONE, OF COHOES,

NEW YORK.

FOLDING-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 19, 1918.

To all whom it may concern: 1

Be it known that I, EDWARD B. RoBY, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Troy, county of Rensselaer, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in F olding-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to folding machines of the general character comprising inwardly slidable folders, a downwardly and upwardly movable cross-head and attached die, a vertically movable bed-plate and means for assembling, operating and supporting said parts; the machines adapted for folding the edges of moistened fabric blanks over the edges of the die and heating and ironing said blanks, whereby they are made ready for the sewing machines and the process of manufacture is facilitated.

The invention has for its principal object to provide means for operating the said parts which are of very simple, durable and inexpensive construction and which are assembled and arranged in such novel correlation that they may be successfully operated by the employment of but few motions and a minimum of motive, and also, manual force; a further object being to conserve expense and time by the production of a maXi-' mum quantity of product in a minimum period of time.

The invention is especially applicable for turning the edges of collar and cufl blanks, but may be employed for turning the edges of any fabric blanks. for instance, patchpocket blanks for uniforms and overalls.

In carrying out my invention I use substantially the above named parts, common to folding machines now in public use, excepting that I employ a die of novel construction, a novel assemblage of parts and a novel operating means comprising a pneumatically actuated reciprocating piston, a valve device, a recessed piston-rod, levers operated by said piston-rod, a pedal of novel construction for operating said valve device,

a rack, pinion and beveled gear mechanism, and a governor to control motion and prevent abrupt impingement of the moving parts which are adapted to be pressed together, all as will be hereinafter fully described and specifically set forth in the annexed claims.

In the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification, Figure l is a vertical sectional view of my improved machine, taken through the center thereof. Fig. 2 is a detail sectional plan view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a cross section taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a detail sectional plan view taken on the line l-4 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a front view of the upper part of my improved machine showing parts thereof broken away in sectional elevation. Fig. 7 is an inverted sectional plan view taken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a fragmentary detail, in plan, of one corner of the machine. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the machine. Fig. 10 is a' face view of the die and cross-head thereof forming part of my invention. F ig. 11 is a cross sectional View taken on the line 1111 of Fig. 10;

and Fig. 12 is a similar View taken on theline 12-12 of Fig. 10.

In the example of my invention as illustrated by the accompanying drawings, A represents a frame-work of adaptable design and construction and having a central opening through its top a, for accommodating a vertically movable bed-plate B, which is adapted to be heated by means of a suitably insulated high resistance conductor 6, adapted for electrical connection with a source of electrical supply not shown in the draw passesthrough the head 6, of thecylinder a roller 9;"this roller bears within a camspiral spring H, located between a collar h,

secured to the extension 6 of the piston E,

and the stufling box g, of the cylinder G.

"Resting on the collar h, is a cross-head I having integrally formed vertical arm's which are each provided with a lateral extension 2', which engages beneath the head 0 of the cylinder C, to limit the upward stroke of the pistons D and F. This cross-h'ead is adapted for operating the bed-plate hereinafter described.

Prvotally secured between lntegral extensions f, forming part of the cylinder head 'c, is a lever J, having a downwardly and inwardly extended arm 3', to which is pivoted a roller 2, this roller normally bears within a cam-like recess 3 formed in the piston-rod E, and, during the operation of the device,

hereinafter described, engages a shallow re- .ce'ss 1. The lever J also has an eye a in its outer, or free end, for engagement with one end. of a spiral spring K-which is connected "at its other end to H I the lower part of the framework A. p v

Connected, by means of the pivots 5, with the lever J,near the free end thereof, is an adjustable connecting rod L, which may be either shortened or lengthened by means of the turn buckle Z. This rod L 1s p voted,

at its upper end, to an extensien m of a lever M, which is in pivotal engagement between bearings 6, said bearings are extended upwardly and rearwardly from the top 0i of the framework A, and the lever M is pivoted between said bearings by means of setscrews N, which are in screw-threaded engageinent with the bearings 6, and have respectively a conical end which is in frietional engagement with a corresptindingly cone-shaped recess in the hub 77. By this means tension may be provided to prevent jerky or abrupt movements of the lever M, and all jarring action is obviated. The upper end of the lever M is bifurcated and is secured to the cross-head O of the die P, by means of the screws 0. Pivotally secured between integral extensions 8 of the cylinder head a, which are located diametrically opposite the extensions f,'is a lever Q having a downwardly and inw'ardlv extended arm 27, to which is pi'veted Ike rece sid'formed in'th pisto rod E, nd the outer, or free endj'o'f the lever Q is provided has an eye 1-1, whitheagagtshas end of a spiral spring B, said spring being secured at its other end to the lower part of the framework A.

To the lever Q, near the free end thereof, is pivoted a toothed rack-S, which extends upwardly and engages a toothed pinion T, said pinion being secured to a horizontal shaft U, which is journaled through a hanger a, at its central part, and at its ends, through downwardly and outwardly directed arms a, of depending bearings V, located one at each corner of the front partof the top a of the framework A. An anti friction roller 12, having an annular flange 13, engages the rack S to maintain connection between said rack and the pinion T.

Each bearing V has extended downwardly therethrougha vertical shaft W, having at its upper end a circular hear to, and at its lower end a beveled gear wheel X, which meshes with a similar beveled gear wheel Y fixed to the shaft U, whereby rotary motion imparted to said shaft U, simultaneously turns the shafts W. Each head to,

is provided with a plurality of openings 14, which are arranged eccentrically at differential distances from the center of the shaft,

these openings are for engagement with a pin l5 whieh passes through a connecting link 16 which is bolted to the folder 17, whereby when the shaft N is turned the folder is moved inwardly. The beveled gear wheels X, are respectively held to their shafts W by means of a setscrew 00, whereby the shaft W may be turned to a suflicient degree to insure proper correlation with the link 16, to gage the'distance of movement required for the folder. arse folders 17, are arranged indie manner common to folding machines as shown 111 Fig. 9, and are adapted to move inwardly,

.andthey respectively have a thin plate 18 for folding the edges of the blank over the "die; they are also held close to the frame top a, by means of adjustable presser fingers 19 which are secured by means of the screws 20.

Fastened to each end part'ofthe shaft U is a pinion Z; these pinions respectively "enga e a cross rack 21 having downwardly to the pinions Z,'the pinions 22 and X are aused to rotate aaaspamming. folders. The hafts 93 are area-estuaries similar to the shafts W, remedies links ie' alse.being provided te cdsneet "said shafts 'a'efwith. the

reiatasiv. "'iiiiti friotioh tellersnt,

also provided to keep the racks 21 in alinement.

The cylinder C communicates with a valve box 25, by means of a port 26 which leads into a passage way 27. Within said passage way is a valve 28, having a thin. stem 29, which is connected to a rod 30, the upper end of which acts as a means for opening and ClOSlIlg the exhaust, said rod 30 engaging a lateral link 31 which is in pivotal engagement with the upper end of a rod 32. The rod 32 extends downwardly and is pivoted to an extension 33, which extends from the inner end part of an operating pedal (Z, which is maintained in its normal horizontal position by means of the spiral spring 34 which is connected at one end to the cross link 31 and at the other end to the lower part of the framework A. The pedal d is pivoted to hangers 35 of the framework A, and it embodies two sections 36 and 37, the section 37 pivoted to the section 36 by means of the vertical bolt 38, and having a downwardly extended curved part for direct. engagement with the foot. of an operator. It will be noted that this downwardly extended part, being near the floor. admits of the operator working the pedal by the simple use of the toe part of the foot with the heel resting on the floor, and the short distance which the part 39 is required to travel makes the device operable with but little manual labor, the swinging arrangement of the part 37 also enables the operator to fix the pedal in any required position necessary to facilitate his movements.

Leading into the valve box 25 is a supply pipe 40, which leads from any suitable source of supply, the outlet from said pipe being normally closed by the valve 28, as shown by Fig. 2 of the drawings. An exhaust pipe 41 leads outwardly from said valve box having its inlet normally open.

The oil-containing cylinder G is in lateral communication with a closed chamber 42, by means of passage ways 43, 44- and 45. These passage ways are adapted to be choked by means of the screws 46, 4:7 and 4:8, for the purpose of governing and regulating the movements of the piston F during its reciprocating movements. Said piston being provided with an opening 49, which is closed during the downward movement of the piston and opened during the upward movement thereof.

The die forming part of my invention comprises three sections 51, 52 and 53. and a cross-head 54. The cross-head is of rigid construction, having a deep groove 55 leading through its entire length; and the sections 51, 52 and 53 each comprise a sheet metal plate 56, forming the die proper. and. a rigidly attached solid metal tongue 57, for engagement with the groove 55, of the crosshead 54. The two end sections are respectively beveled at their inner end part and are provided with a recess 58, containing a spiral spring 59 which bears against a collar 60 on a rod 61 this rod bears against the top of the cross-head 5 and maintains the sections 51 and 52 in alinement when the die is pressed downwardly upon the blank to be turned. WVhen it is desired to remove the blank, the operative grasps same at each end and pulls it downwardly; this movement causes the sections 51 and 52 to swing in the direction of the'arrows, shown in Fig. 10 of the drawings, contracts the die in length and permits of ready removal of said blank. The sections 51, 52 and 53 are each held to the cross-head 54: by means of a screw 58 which may engage any one of the openings 59 whereby the length of the die may be varied, and a scale 62 is placed on the face of each end of the cross-head to gage the adjustment required. When the sections 51 and 52 are moved away from each other for any considerable distance a section 53 of greater width than the one shown in the drawings is substituted, whereby proper space between the sections may be maintained.

The bed-plate B, employed in conjunction with the die for pressing the blanks, normally rests on pins 61 which extend through the levers 62 employed for lifting said bed-plate. These levers are pivoted to the framework A and are held normally in horizontal position, shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings, by means of the springs 63. As a means for operating the said levers 62, rods 64 having heads 65. depend through openings of the inner ends of the levers and pass through the cross-head I. These rods may be adjusted to the proper length by means of thumb nuts 66, whereby the movements of the bed-plate may be gaged.

In the operation and use of the invention, downward pressure exerted upon the pedal (Z, at its forwardly and downwardly extended part, lifts the valve 28 and allows access of compressed air to the cylinder C, at the same time the exhaust is closed by the upper end of the rod 30. This causes adownward movement of the piston D and exerts a camlike action upon the roller 2 of the lever J, forcing the free end thereof to swing upwardly and, through the medium of the rod L, imparting a downward movement to the cross head 0 and its die P. Thus when a blank is placed upon the bed-plate B, the first action is to press and hold the same thereon. Further movement of the piston D and its, rod E imparts upward swinging movement to the lever Q whereby the rack, pinion and bevel gear mechanism. hereinbefore described, operates to move the folders and turn the edges of the blank over the die I as in the common well-known manner. After these operations are completed the lower end of the enlarged part of the rod E strikes thecross head I, and through the medium of the rods '64s and levers 62 lifts the bed-plate B against the die to perform the pressing operation, the recess/1 allowing the die sufiicient yielding and upward movement to; prevent. jamming and. jarring.

The retarding action of the oil in the cylinder G t, against the piston- F prevents; ab rupt movementsof the parts and causes smooth action throughout all of the moveirrents, the deg-reeof retarding influence be ing controlled by means; of the screws 46, 47 and 48'. i

While I have. described and shown a pneumatically operated construction, I do not confine myself to the use of" pneumatic power, as steam may be employed if found desirable; neither do I confine myself to the specific details of construction and arrangement of parts, as I believe under the, spirit and scope of my invention, I am entitled to use structural variations: necessary for fold.- ing blanks of different kinds and proportions The bed-plate B is generally maintained horizontal position, but if for any reason it is desired to slightlytilt it, as for instance, to ,place it perfect alinement with the die or to allow for inequalities in the material being operated upon, the thumb-nuts 66 may bedadjusted on the rods 64 to tilt it at either .en .7 V

7 Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is: Y i

L In a machine *ofthe class described, a framework, a reciprocating heated bed-plate and means for supporting the same, reciprocating folder plates, and a reciprocating cross-head and die, in combination with means for operating said reciprocating parts comprising a cylinder, a power operated piston, a valve mechanism, a piston rod having recesses which each have a vertical and two beveled faces, a lever mechanism operable by means of said recessed rod, a rack, pinion and beveled gear mechanism, a foot l'everffor operating said valve mechanism, and a retarding device for governing the movements of said piston.

2. In a folding machine of the class described, the combinatiomof a framework, folders. a cross-head and die and a reciproeating heated bed-plate; with a power-operated reciprocating piston, a valve device, a recessed pistonrod, levers operated by Said rod, a fact lever-for operating said valve device; and. airack, pinion and beveled gear v .1. 1 I L 3,- In a foldingmachi ne, thecombination, a-a r mevbr inwar ly a d d wn ly'rriovahie' cross-head and die, and a reciprocating bedplate; with a poweraerated reciprocating piston, a cylinder there for, a valve device, a piston-rod having recesseseach havlng-avertical and twobeveled faces, levers operated by said rod,a foot lever for operating saidfval'vedevice, a retarding device connected with said pistonrod, a rack, pinion and beveledgear mechanism and means supporting said parts,

4. In a folding machine, the combination, of aframework, folders, an upwardly and downwardly moving cross-head and die, and a reciprocating heated bed-plate; with a power-operated reciprocating piston, a cylinder therefor, a valve devicc,'a piston-rod having recesses each having a vertical and two beveled face parts, leversoperated by said piston-rod, a foot lever having a; latersion, and a valved piston connected to said extension, and an oil-containing cylinder therefor, said valved piston adapted for controlling the movements of the first-named piston, and two levers having rollers, engaging said recesses of the pistonsrod, one of said levers adapted for operating said crosshead and die and the other adapted for op erating said folders. and a rack, pinion and beveled gear mechanism, and a foot lever for operating said valve mechanism, said foot lever having a downwardly directed laterally swinging pedal, and spring-means for H controlling the said parts.

6. A cross-head and die for use in folding machines of the class described, comprising a head having a longitudinal groove, cen} tral fixed die section, and end r ki g cliesections each embodying a die-plate and a' tongue, the tongues of said end die sections each having an upper surface part abutting against the horizontal wall of said groove and an upper beveled surface part. and pivot means at the point of intersection of said parts. whereby said sections may be caused to rock.

7. Across-head and die forfolding machines of the class de cribed, comprising a head havmglongitudi al groove in it fdersurarce, central die section embodying a jplatejand tongue in fixed engagemeat with, said; groove, ad'i gin};

Y W stable sw; end settle-as each embodying; a plate a tongue, said tongues engaging said groove as my invention, I have signed my name, in 10 and each having a horizontal and a beveled presence of two wltnesses, thls twenty-fifth part, and means for pivoting the swinging day of February, 1916.

die sections and for adjustabl securing 5 them to the head, and spring means for ED WAR D ROBY' maintaining said swinging sections in nor- Witnesses: mal parallel engagement with said groove. MORTON T. VALLEY,

In testimonythat I claim the foregoing ELLA HOCHSTRASSER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of 2mm,

7 Washington, I). G. 

